My Experience In A Toastmasters Speech Contest – Part 1

Matt KramerOvercoming Fear, Public Speaking

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Some days suck. We’ve prepared our speech, we’re ready to go, but for some reason our mind and body start to go all wacky. We feel physically weak. All the negative “what-ifs” start flickering about. These are the days we silently wish would never come. This happened to me on the day of the Toastmasters club speech contest for the Toastmasters International Speech Contest—the starting point in an … Read More

Get Vulnerable And Get Over Your Fear Of Public Speaking

Matt KramerConfidence, Overcoming Fear, Public Speaking

vulnerable tactical talks public speaking fear toastmasters matt kramer

One of the biggest roadblocks that prevent people from overcoming the fear of public speaking is refusing to admit that it exists…at least when asked about it.In fact, in AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), the very FIRST step in their Twelve Step program to overcoming addiction, is to admit there is one. The same can be said for overcoming a fear as terrifying … Read More

Tactical Talks TOP 5: The Best Public Speaking Articles On The Web – Vol. #6

Matt KramerPublic Speaking, Tactical Talks Top 5

tactical talks - public speaking

ROUND 6 OF SCAVENGING BEGINS! Each month I will scour the interwebz looking for the best articles on public speaking.I’ll be looking for topics like these:Overcoming the fear of public speakingPresentation tipsBody language and other technical speaking tipsAnd anything in between…I’m looking for the interesting, the fascinating, the practical, and anything with worthwhile information to help you become a better communicator. … Read More

An Ugly, Straightforward Way To Live Happier

Matt KramerMotivation, Uncategorized

I finally found the secret to a happy life, and even a happy world. Get your pad and pen ‘cause you’re going to want to write this down.Oh…my…god (in my best valley girl voice)! It’s so incredible!Here goes.The secret to a happy life is…Get ready……being productive.Can you say anticlimactic? Sorry. I told you it was ugly. I’ll cue up the … Read More

2016 Toastmasters International Convention – Tactical Talks

Matt KramerPublic Speaking, Videos

toastmasters international public speaking matt kramer tactical talks 2016 joe rodriguez

Toastmasters International Speech Contest is happening this year. And I’m going! My friend Joe Rodriguez will be competing this year in D.C., and I can’t wait to cheer him on. If you’re attending, please do the same!  About this guy… Howdy! My name is Matt Kramer and I used to suffer excruciating death when speaking in front of a group, now … Read More

How Constant Challenge Can Change Your Life

Matt KramerConfidence, Motivation

Do you challenge yourself on purpose?I’m referring to any activity that puts a beat down on you. Perhaps physically? Maybe mentally? Even emotionally? All of the above?There are fitness exercises, memory games like this one, bikini waxes (ouch!), trying to sit down for an extended period of time without thinking (meditation), public speaking, cold showers, rock climbing, skydiving, and so many … Read More

Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Speech Gets Dissected!

Matt KramerPublic Speaking

I’ve been seeing a lot of speech critiques lately. With the political chicken-wings flapping around, I guess I can understand why.One on Hillary Clinton. Another on Michelle Obama. And don’t forget about Donald Trump.Well, I’ve had just about enough of that! The only thing those kinds of speeches are good for is if you want to watch the same person debate … Read More

How To Use Visualizations To Free Yourself From Negativity

Matt KramerConfidence, Overcoming Fear, Public Speaking

public speaking visualizations tactical talks toastmasters

One thing that’s sure to limit our potential as human beings, is worrying about what people think about us.Terry Cole-Whittaker wrote a wonderfully-titled book called What You Think of Me is None of My Business.Damn straight it’s not…at least it shouldn’t be.The nature of growing up in packs (communities), such as going through school, church, or even playing sports, has … Read More